An Army Officer on Leave in Japan; Including a Sketch of Manila and Environment, Philippine Insurrection of 1896-7, Dewey's Battle of Manila Bay and a Description of Formosa (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX I KNOW of nothing more interesting to the prospective traveller than an interview with some one who has recently returned from the land he contemplates visiting. While it is true, that general information concerning the best routes, cost of transportation, hotels, etc., can be secured from an army of folders, Cook, Gaze, Clark, and other travelling agencies, yet there remain dozens of questions which can only be answered by those who have been there and are able to supply the necessary local coloring. In the preparation of "An Army Officer on Leave in Japan," I have considered its value as a guide for those contemplating a journey to the "Land of the Rising Sun," and have taken no little trouble in the description of the important cities, mountain resorts, temples and other points of interest to the tourist. Fortunately for the traveller, Japan is a long and narrow country intersected by one main railway which stretches from Nagasaki in the south to Aomori in the north, and which with its short feeders makes it possible for the tourist to begin at one end, and without retracing his steps, practically to visit every place of interest in the Empire. Although much has been written of Japan since the days of its seclusion, which lasted until Commodore Perry's visit in 1853-1854, the vast majority of tourists who visit the country leave without a sufficient knowledge of its history, racial origin, customs, religion, art, and literature, to derive much benefit from their visit. In order to supply such information, I have inserted a number of chapters covering these points, which should be carefully studied by every one who travels there. The Empire of Japan, excluding Formosa and the Loochoos on the south and Saghalien on the north extends from the thi...